Healing Through Appropriate Priorities

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness;and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33  Jesus

  An important question needs to be asked by those of us who are Christian Counselors, Spiritual Directors (or any other healers): "When is a problem spiritual and when is a problem psychological or neurological?"  First let's get this straight:  Our problems are never NOT psychological.  Our mind, will, and emotions (along with developmental issues) most likely do contribute something to our problems. They are most likely a part of resolving the difficulties of our lives.  Yet, our problems are never NOT spiritual.  God is always present; furthermore, it is never safe to remove our "spiritual armor."  (See Ephesians 6:10ff) The possibility of the deceiver deceiving us never ends.  If we believe negative untruths, (or lies we have in our heads) they will make us dysfunctional.  If we transform our minds with healthy spiritual truths, we will move toward health and freedom. A great number of our maladies are due to our faith or what we believe.

However, our culture tends to assume that any problem related to the mind HAS TO BE psychological or neurological.  I want to ask, "What makes this true?"  Why can't it be spiritual?   I think the best approach is to take into account the whole person: body, soul, and spirit.  Otherwise we risk breaking into 2 camps...a psychotherapuetic  ministry that ignores spiritual reality or some "deliverance" model that ignores developmental issues or our own human responsibility.  It seems to me that diagnosis and resolution of problems must take into account both the psychological and spiritual.  Learning "the truth that sets us free" is very powerful in healing the whole person. And God's Word is indeed "Truth."  (See John 8:32)

Let's face it.  Some issues are caused by chemical imbalances or glandular disorders.  For these a person absolutely MUST see your family Doctor. Sadly, however, it seems the last thing to be considered by many are those things that may be spiritually based, and they are considered usually after all natural issues are ruled out. Now Jesus told us "to seek first the Kingdom of God."  Why not do this?  Why not check out spiritual issues first? And why not also consider all other possibilities during the process of discovery so that healing will be optimum? 
Based on Neil Anderson's philosophy of treatment

Have A Blessed Day Today and Everyday
Sojourner



Comments

  1. zachary mcgowenJune 15, 2009 at 8:16 PM

    Hey Pop, I'm glad you reminded me of this... As I have more and more counseling obligations it's good to remember the spiritual brokenness that needs Christ's restoration... Love you!

    ReplyDelete

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